IRS Launches New Mobile App, Better Outlook for This Year’s Flu Season

Key takeaways

• Review Medicare Part D options as plan costs and choices shift.
• Manage tax tasks more easily with the new IRS mobile app.
• Prepare for flu season by following guidance and considering vaccination.

Summary

Medicare Part D, IRS digital services and flu season outlook are the main topics highlighted in this update. Many Medicare beneficiaries could see changes to prescription drug coverage in 2027, including higher costs and fewer plan choices, making open enrollment reviews especially important.

The update also notes the launch of a new IRS mobile app that allows taxpayers to manage account activities directly from a smartphone. Meanwhile, experts expect a milder flu season than last year, though vaccination remains an important step for reducing the risk of severe illness.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full transcript

[0:00:04] Medicare prescription drug coverage could look different

[0:00:06] for many beneficiaries in 2027.

[0:00:10] The average monthly premium for standalone original Medicare Part D plans is

expected

[0:00:15] to increase by less than a dollar.

[0:00:17] But analysis from the health care research group KFF suggests many

beneficiaries

[0:00:23] could face higher costs and fewer plans.

[0:00:26] Experts recommend enrollees review coverage options during

[0:00:29] Medicare open enrollment to find a plan that fits their needs.

[0:00:35] The IRS has debuted a new mobile app giving taxpayers expanded

[0:00:39] digital access to their accounts.

[0:00:42] Called the IRS app, it replaces IRS2Go, the agency’s first app launched in

2011.

[0:00:49] The new app allows users to make payments, access tax records, update

banking

[0:00:54] information and manage other tax-related tasks directly from their

smartphone.

[0:01:02] Scientists expect a milder flu season this year compared to last.

[0:01:06] That’s based on health data from countries in the Southern Hemisphere that

have

[0:01:10] already experienced their flu seasons.

[0:01:12] Experts say a bad flu season could lead to spikes in immunity against the

[0:01:16] variant, but getting a flu vaccine can meaningfully lower the risk of severe flu